The Mercers also have been generous contributors to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which as an incumbent-retention organization is likely to back Flake.

Flake’s re-election bid will be viewed as a fight between his brand of classic conservative Republicanism and Trump’s brand of ideology-bending populism. His new book, Conscience of a Conservative, is a scathing critique of Trump and other Republicans who have enabled Trump’s rise. (“My Party Is In Denial About Donald Trump” reads the headline on an excerpt that cause a stir within the GOP after being published last week by Politico Magazine.)

The criticism has made Flake a target for Trump allies and possibly Trump himself. Whispers of a White House-backed primary challenge have been out there for months. Ward is the only announced opponent. Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit, who had a national role in Trump’s campaign, and former Arizona GOP Chairman Robert Graham are two other prospects.

“Not a good re-election strategy,” Graham, who has yet to announce a decision on the race, told BuzzFeed News last week after reading the excerpt from Flake’s book.

Mercer support aside, Ward is not a consensus alternative to Flake among the pro-Trump wing. Her loss to McCain is one factor. Her habit of making overly provocative statements is another. Ward, a physician, called McCain “old” and “weak” during last year’s race. More recently, after McCain was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Ward raised doubts about McCain’s recovery in a radio interview and talked herself up as a successor if McCain can’t finish his term.

“I would never presume to say what someone’s prognosis is without having exams,” Ward said in the interview with WOWO in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “As a Christian, I know there can always be miracles. But the likelihood that John McCain is going to be able to come back to the Senate and be at full force for the people of our state and the people of the United States is low.”